%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1403913856048862900%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.%%[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/AntMan http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hard-light_leyoknhw_2916.png]]]]

->'''Franchise/TheFlash:''' (''faced with half a dozen clones of Luminus'') This is supposed to scare me? They're just illusions.\\'''Luminus:''' (''starts beating the crap out of Flash'') I can make light solid, chump.-->-- ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', "Only a Dream"

When ordinary light, whether it comes from science-fiction projectors or a magic spell, seems to have (or really does have) actual substance, it's Hard Light. Hard light objects behave like any other object -- chairs support weight, bullets kill, razors shave, and so forth. An illusory ''[[EnergyBeings person]]'' made of Hard Light can pick up real things and interact physically with real people, even though they don't technically exist.

Strictly speaking, hard light is not holography. A {{hologram}} is a sort of three dimensional projection. It is not solid. If something is solid, it is, by definition, not a hologram.

That said, it's easy to imagine holography being used in tandem with some other technology (DeflectorShields, perhaps) to produce a projection which seems solid to observers. The HolographicTerminal in its "real world" form comes to mind.

People will usually refer to these constructs as "{{hologram}}s" for the sake of convenience. If the holograms only seem to manipulate reality because YourMindMakesItReal, see {{Cyberspace}}. Can be used to create a VirtualTrainingSimulation. See also HologramProjectionImperfection for when holograms don't work properly and have visual static or other glitches.

If your ray of light is not only hard, but also hot and has incredible cutting powers, you've got yourselves a LaserCutter. See also PureEnergy.

----!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]* The Duel Disk systems in ''Anime/YuGiOh'' use this, but it very rarely matters since the monsters are mostly just fighting each other. Still, when monsters attack the opposing player directly, it ''actually hurts''.** Which makes it even weirder during a scene in ''[[Anime/YuGiOhGX GX]]'' that actually shows objects going ''through'' a monster hologram.** Early on it was explained that this was a feature of the Duel Disk itself (it would create a bit of feedback to make the duels more realistic). Now that the duels are pretty much just excuses for each successive BigBad to show how much badder he is than the last, the running explanation is something to the effect of "Who the hell cares?"** One also has to consider that more than half the duels involve some way in which the monsters become a reality.** Explained more in ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'', in the duel academia episode. Lua/Rua/Leo was commended for having good acting skills instead of good dueling skills. The psychic duelists however...*** Then there's the duels with the Dark Signers, the Three Emperors, a ghost...** In ''Anime/YuGiOhArcV'', the holograms are marketed as "Solid Vision with mass", as they are solid enough to interact with.* ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'''s Ground Battlefield Simulator, which seems to have taken a page from the ComicBook/{{X-Men}}'s Danger Room and expanded it to the size of a city.* Sixshot in ''Anime/TransformersHeadmasters'' is adept at creating holograms that can fool any human or robot. They are perfectly capable of fighting, and even shooting real lasers.* Folken in ''Anime/TheVisionOfEscaflowne'' movie attempts to persuade the heroine to his side twice projecting his image to distant places with his (or possibly Sora's) psychic powers. The second time he does this he grasps her hand quite physically.* In the Future Arc of ''Manga/KatekyoHitmanReborn'', Mukuro, Ken and Chikusa [[spoiler:appear as solid illusions to help Chrome in her fight against Glo Xinia.]]** This is initially {{averted|Trope}}, however, as without the [[spoiler:[[MacGuffin Vongola Mist Ring]]]], Mukuro was only able to simulate physical illusions by hiding rocks in them.* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'':** In [[Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion Evangelion 2.22]] [[spoiler: Evangelion Unit-01]] makes a new arm out of light after having its first one cut off.** Also, in the original series, it is implied that the Angels' bodies are composed of a "form of matter similar to light" in the sense that it exists as a particle and a wave simultaneously.* Averted by the [[NighInvulnerability Logia User]] [[LightIsNotGood Kizaru]] in ''Manga/OnePiece'': when he attack he briefly turns his legs solid in order to deliver a super-powerful kick.** Played straight with his light sword.* The Lightwave Barrier in ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeed Gundam Seed]]''.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Card Games]]* According to ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'' [[AllThereInTheManual Master Guide 4]], the advanced technology of the Mecha Phantom Beast archetype includes quantum-output machines. The decoys created by these machines are nearly indistinguishable from the original on radar and are said to be so efficient at drawing away fire, that as long as a single decoy has been deployed, the original machine cannot be shot down.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comics]]* Creator/MarvelComics was doing it years before ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' with the ''ComicBook/{{X-Men}}'''s Danger Room, using the term "hard light" to describe the Shi'ar technology it used.** Producing various kinds of light, including the Hard variety, is the superpower of the ComicBook/{{X-Men}}'s ComicBook/{{Dazzler}}.** Bishop's sister Shard once existed as a being of hard light, before [[HeroicSacrifice heroically sacrificing]] herself by letting herself be absorbed into him to help him escape from Fitzroy.** ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' villain Lightmaster uses solid light to make hammers, sharp axes, and concussive bursts. He can also use it to fly.* The Franchise/{{Transformers}} have sometimes employed holograms to depict fake drivers at the wheels of robot vehicles. IDW's ''Transformers'' took this a step farther by allowing the driver to interact with objects and describing them as hard light.* The various ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' characters have always been able to create structures like this with their power rings. Originally, it was just simple structures of green light, but they've gotten more complex and multichromatic as time goes on.** [[Comicbook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths Pre Crisis]], this was called "psychoplasmic energy" eg. energy that responded to the will of sentient beings. PostCrisis, it's actually a form of psionic energy that's visible as colors that represent particular emotions or drives for... some reason. See GreenLanternCorps.* In the ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'' comic, one story arc features two light-themed villains developing tangible constructs of light to torment the heroes.* Additionally, Dr. Light II of Creator/DCComics (Kimiyo Hoshi) is a light controller, able to create hard light constructs.** The original Dr. Light, a villain, could do it as well, but with gadgets.* Back in Marvel, ComicBook/{{Quasar}}'s Quantum Bands have the power to create solid light constructs.** Acording to the OfficialHandbookOfTheMarvelUniverse, they are actually made of [[TechnoBabble air molecules that have been bound together with photons]].* ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}' EyeBeams. They're always described as consisting of force, not heat. They're not always ''depicted'' that way, but that's another story...* The Comicbook/{{Wildsiderz}} wear suits with projectors that gives them "holographic powers" of animals.* This is how the [[ComicBook/FantasticFour Invisible Woman's]] powers work.* The Marvel Comics heroine [[{{Thunderbolts}} Songbird]] does something that is equivalent to this, using a device to create constructs out of "Hard [[MakeMeWannaShout Sound]]".** Note that her powers resemble those of the older villain Klaw, to the point of being the same color (red). Most likely, the same technology was used.* ComicBook/TheFalcon's Wakandan-made costume has hard light wings, able to change shape based on how he needs to move. Animated versions give him the ability to fire laser FeatherFlechettes from them, but this has yet to find its way into the comics. As for the version seen in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier,'' they're not hard light and as a soldier, he just uses [[MoreDakka plain ol' guns. Powerful ones.]] Of course, his wing pack was wrecked in the movie, leaving the door open for him to possibly return with a more sci-fi version.* ''ComicBook/{{Megalex}}'' features a few examples, most notably a sinister SapientShip personality named Shalise. Shalise is a holographic projection but is able to attack people in the real world with seemingly physical claws.* John Tensen's powers appear to work similar to this in ''[[ComicBook/TheNewUniverse newuniversal]]'', as he attacks with blades of light, and can block bullets with 'screens' of the same light, as well as use them as platforms to walk upon.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fanworks]]* In ''Fanfic/ThirtyHs'', Franchise/HarryPotter at one point has a book made of lasers, which he was apparently able to slam shut.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films]]* Much of Ecoban's technology in ''Film/SkyBlue'' makes use of hard light. At the very end, Shua is able to plug a physical device containing the self-destruct code into an entirely holographic terminal.* In the 1936 ''[[Film/FlashGordonSerial Flash Gordon]]'' serial, a "bridge of light" can be turned on to walk from the roof of one Martian building to another.* In the Soviet sci-fi two-part film ''Film/MoscowCassiopeia'', the relativistic starship ''[=ZARYa=]'' is equipped with the so-called Surprise Chamber, which allows the teenage crew to recreate different Earth locations. While they aren't as perfect as ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' holodecks (the sides are slightly reflective), the sights, sounds, and smells are pretty realistic.* ''Film/{{Tron}}'' does this with the Light wall/Ribbon and Light Staff.* The Drej, alien antagonists in "Titan A.E.", are an entire species made of hard light or something very like it. They don't appear to have or use matter in any way.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]* ''Literature/TheCulture'' drones' fields: They manipulate {{force field}}s with a very high degree of precision and control. Skaffen-Amtiskaw, in ''Use Of Weapons'' is seen using fields both as incredibly sharp "blades" and blunt objects, medical instruments (sucking blood away from a wound and performing surgery), and supporting pillars. Other drones carry objects and make mirrors from fields, and the gun in "A Gift From The Culture" extends one to "field-anchor" its wielder's arm for a steady shot. The fields are generally coloured to depict the mood of the drone - for example, red is "the colour of drone pleasure". This is helpful, as a drone has no facial features or body language to interpret. In ''Consider Phlebas'' they use the word "soligram" to refer to this concept.* Used, but not described as such, in the ''Literature/SkylarkSeries'' by Creator/EEDocSmith, written in the 1930s. His "projectors" could send out other "projectors" of pure "force" that could manipulate material objects, transmute substances, act as remote "television broadcasters" and "spy-rays", and even manipulate objects at the core of dwarf stars (that's how lenses are created for the highest level of projectors). The in-novel justification for all this was that the hero was originally using matter to channel forces -- the {{sufficiently advanced alien}}s simply did away with using the matter, and channeled the forces directly.* Creator/JohnWCampbell's 'Arcot, Morey and Wade' stories (originally written in the 1930s, and collected in book form in the 1950s) feature ''lux'' metal, for occasions when neutronium just isn't super-sciencey enough. It's "made of light -- photons so greatly compressed that they were held together by their own gravitational fields."* The pulverized supercomputer in ''Literature/LifeTheUniverseAndEverything'' manipulated tricks of light, and was shown to be able to at least make a good semblance of a couch.* Seen throughout ''Literature/TheSeventhTower'' series by Garth Nix. The Chosen make use of sunstones -- growing crystals that absorb the sun's energy -- to do everything, from building, making music, weapons, to creating suits of armor and rainbow-colored stairs to escape a large pit. Sunstones are even used as decoration, heating, and jewelry. Since the sunstones are never described as anything more than powerful battery packs that store energy, which is used in the form of light beams, it falls under this trope.* "Shaped energy" in the ''Literature/PerryRhodan'' universe. Most famously used by the first aliens to successfully invade and actually ''conquer'' the Milky Way Galaxy, who even built their ships out of the stuff. (Which came back to haunt them several decades later when [[spoiler:their recharge stations suddenly up and left]].) The technology has been around ever since.* In Creator/JohnBrunner's ''The Traveller in Black'' series, the title character carries a walking-staff made out of light.* Hologram Fun World, an amusement park in ''Literature/GalaxyOfFear'', purported to have a hologram attraction that fooled all the other senses, the Nightmare Machine. [[spoiler: It was actually a psychic monster.]]* ''Literature/TheLightbringerSeries'' is a [[MagicAIsMagicA satisfyingly in-depth fantasy treatment]] of this. Mages are [[InsistentTerminology exclusively called]] 'drafters,' who can create and shape 'luxin' of [[ColorCodedWizardry various colors]] into physical objects and effects (walls, bridges, weapons, bursts of flame, etc) with a lot of room for [[AwesomeByAnalysis cunning tricks of engineering]]. Most drafters [[CripplingOverspecialization work in one color]], some can work in two, a rare few can use three or more, and the Prism ([[TheChosenOne ruler of]] [[TheMagocracy the Seven Satrapies]]) [[TheRedMage uses all of them]] with phenomenal endurance. Drafters who [[PhlebotinumOverload channel too much luxin in their lifetimes]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity willingly]] [[BodyHorror remake their own bodies]] with implanted luxin structures in an especially literal application of this trope; other uses of luxin still qualify because luxin deteriorates into light and evaporates unless it is 'sealed.' Finally, drafting ability partially depends on the ability to perceive subtle nuances of color, [[ShownTheirWork giving females a statistical advantage]].[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]* The idea was [[TropeCodifier popularized]] by the holodeck of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', although they weren't responsible for the standard "hard light" HandWave. Strictly speaking, Star Trek holograms are not hard light as the physical part comes from the use of forcefields rather than being an intrinsic quality of the hologram. The EMH Doctor in ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' often refers to himself (or fellow holograms) as "photons and forcefields" (as opposed to flesh and blood). Sentient holograms tended to refer to themselves and others as photonics.** They even {{lampshade|Hanging}}d this in one episode. Neelix's [[OrganTheft lungs were stolen]] (... yeah) and the Doctor proposed that they be temporarily replaced with holographic lungs. As seen in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbut8Sp7jY4 this video]], when Tom Paris pointed out that it couldn't work, as light was intangible, the Doctor ''[[CrowningMomentOfFunny slapped him]]''. Some holograms such as the doctor also had the ability to switch between solid and non-solid by deactivating the force field portion of their program separately to the hologram.** It is AllThereInTheManual: holodecks use both holographic projections for visuals, and force fields for physical effects that can vary from touching something to running into a wall -- also include allowing people to walk while still remaining in place.** The explanation for holographic solidity varied on TNG. At first tangible objects were replicated and manipulated by tractor beams, and there was at least one episode where they discussed "holographic matter" as only having cohesion due to being powered by the holodeck, but eventually "photons and forcefields" was the explanation that won out.*** It's conceivable that objects that need very fine simulation may be replicated, which would explain being able to eat holographic food, but in an episode of Voyager, characters who ought to know what they're talking about discuss guilt-free holodeck dining, explicitly stating that their holocoffee would disappear as soon as they left the holodeck.* ''Series/{{Automan}}'' became solid simply via the application of [[TimTaylorTechnology large amounts of power]]. It actually makes some sense, given relativity's mass-energy relationship, but would require the entire world's energy consumption over about 6 days.* In the later seasons of ''Series/RedDwarf'', VirtualGhost Rimmer became tangible via a "hard light drive". In this case the hard light drive is not only better than his old soft light drive but better than regular life itself, since it makes him more or less indestructible ''and'' immune to aging -- well, aside from the human aging of actor Chris Barrie. Downside: extremely power intensive, so it cannot be done indefinitely.** Another downside is that he can still feel pain, despite being practically indestructible. Hence Rimmer still acting like a coward despite being (basically) immortal.** Note that he CAN be hurt...damage to the hard light drive would kill him. [[spoiler: It's how Ace Rimmer dies..many times.]]** In the episode 'Demons and Angels,' an evil copy of the pre-hard-light Rimmer is able to use a "holo-whip," which appears to be a form of hard light.* ''Series/SeaQuestDSV'' featured an alien race with the technology of "silicon holography" -- "holograms" which were projected on silicon particles suspended in the air to make them solid. They left a pile of sand behind whenever they disappeared.* The guardian holograms created by the Ancients in ''Series/StargateSG1'' are sort of a borderline example -- solid objects pass right through them, but getting hit by one hurts. And they can be "killed" with entirely holographic swords, which are wielded by real characters.* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'': An apparent secondary effect of Emma's [[DisabilitySuperpower synesthesia power]] is turning the sound-light she sees into a concussive blast.* In the ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' "Look at the Princess" trilogy, the royal family possess a machine that can show what any potential child would look like and allows you to hold and interact with them.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Mythology]]* OlderThanPrint: In NorseMythology, the [[UrExample ur-example]] may be Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge: it's implied to be [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a solid bridge made out of a rainbow]] connecting Asgard and Midgard.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pinball]]* ''Pinball/FutureSpa'' has a man performing weightlifting repetitions using a beam of orange light instead of a weight bar.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]* The '95 PC game ''VideoGame/TheDig'' employed Hard Light in the form of bridges activated by Boston Low, the main character. If the player contacted Maggie about them, the two exchanged "light" puns (a "light" salad, "light" beer, etc.)-->'''Boston:''' If they can make bridges out of light, you have to wonder if they can make anything ELSE.\\'''Maggie:''' You mean -- light beer?\\'''Boston:''' [[HurricaneOfPuns I was thinking more of a light house.]]* The [[{{Precursors}} Forerunners]] of ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' were quite fond of using hard light; examples in the [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved first game]] alone include the Index (which can exist in a physical form that can be handled by ordinary organics, but can also be downloaded by [=AIs=] like Cortana and Guilty Spark and stored as electronic data), as well as ''light bridges''.** The Heretic Leader in ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}'' has holograms that ''can wield weapons and be hit by projectiles''; the prevailing theory is that those were Forerunner devices given to him by [[spoiler:343 Guilty Spark]].** ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}'' and ''Literature/TheForerunnerSaga'' reveal that the Forerunners even used hard light to create weapons, ships, and even buildings. In fact, almost all of the structures you seen on Requiem are made of hard light (shooting them will produce a distinctive pattern which is quickly "healed"); it's almost perfectly disguised to look like regular metal and glass, to the point where its [[UncannyValley unnaturally perfect symmetry, cleanliness, and brightness are what give it away.]]*** Its prevalence is justified as well: Forerunners have mastered harnessing unimaginably vast amounts of vacuum energy, to the point that energy is no longer just something to make their (undoubtedly highly consumptive) machines work, it's now one of their most valuable and common ''building materials''.* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':** The light arrows in several games seem to be composed of solid light energy.** The stairs in the Temple of Time; also the bridges in the Twilight Realm as well as the bridge TO the Twilight Realm.** The access to Ganon's floating castle in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' is a bridge made of light (created by the sages Link awakened).** And some stairs and platforms in the Tower of the Gods, in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker''.* From ''VideoGame/MegaMan8'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManAndBass'', the Robot Master Astro Man had his abilities based on this, primarily sending forth a storm of Hard Light meteors and creating a holographic copy that [[CollisionDamage hurts just as much as crashing into the real thing.]]** ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'': Gemini Man's MesACrowd ability is stated to work like this.* The elevators in all the 2D ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' games. They're just a glowing platform in a tube, and if the power goes out or something, said platform just disappears.** Making things even more confusing, in ''Metroid Fusion'', the power is indeed cut... ''while Samus is standing on one''. Oddly, she doesn't fall like you would anticipate. Apparently the future averts NoOSHACompliance. The Federation elevators may be technology that's different from but similar in superficial (read: game-graphics) appearance to the Chozo elevators on Zebes.** It's possible they're actually solid, and not just light, but merely glowy. ''MetroidPrime'' has clearly solid elevators.* ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' contains an example shown near the beginning of [[http://www.viddler.com/explore/pokecapn/videos/93/ this video]]* The Combine from ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' have light bridges in their Citadel, as well as selectively permeable light gates to keep citizens out of Combine-controlled areas.* The first ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' game pokes with the concept, and by the third game things like this are all over the place.* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' character Dr. Nefarious uses hard light holograms in the third game, as does [[ShoutOut Ace Hardlight]] in the fourth. Ratchet himself employs Hard Light armor in ''A Crack In Time''.* Unlike previous games, illusory creatures in ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic 4'' act just like real creatures. The flavor text in the library implies it's a case of YourMindMakesItReal.** In the 6th installment the human cavalry ride [[CoolHorse steeds made of light]] into battle.* The Ixian Projectors from ''VideoGame/EmperorBattleForDune'' can project hard light copies of units, which can even deal damage. The downside is, being solid holograms, touching enemy units or being shot at instantly destroys them. Still, it allows one to ZergRush with an army of holographic [[SuperSoldier Sardaukar Elites]] while only paying for the Projector(s) to be built and one Sardaukar to be copied. The size of your holographic army is only limited by the number of projectors you build and how fast you can click on your target unit, as there is no cap on the number of projections, nor a MagicPoints cost for projecting them. This makes them extremely useful for the penultimate mission [[spoiler: where you attack your enemy's homeworld]], as there is no spice to harvest, leaving you to rely on your starting cash.* Fury Technology in ''VideoGame/{{Super Robot Wars J|udgment}}''; materializing energy into a crystalline state. Coustwell Brachium ups the ante by actually generating temporary clones of itself.* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'', in the Great Crystal, entire pathways are made out of nothing more than solid projections of light.** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' has a prequel, ''CrisisCore'', in which Shinra has training programs that are essentially holograms. What makes that this Trope is that the holograms can completely imitate the physical qualities of the object. For example, Sephiroth's sword will actually cut you, even though it's not the real Sephiroth. Also, somehow, it creates its own arid desert.* It may seem like it would be so in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'', but it isn't: Laser weapons have no [[WreakingHavok kill impulse]] in their impacts, or any force upon inamimate objects.* In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', however, the DLC ''Dead Money'' introduces the Holorifle, which does have a kill impulse. It works by shooting a scattering of holographic cubes that does a [[GameBreaker crap-ton]] of damage even when the gun is loaded with low-grade bulk cells.** ''Dead Money'' also has security holograms, which can attack the player but are invulnerable themselves.* ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' features platforms made out of hard light as a gameplay element, which can be redirected through portals to gain access to unreachable areas or block turret fire.--> '''SelfDemonstrating/{{GLaDOS}}:''' If you rubbed your cheek on it, it would feel like the sun, shining on your face. It would also set your hair on fire, so don't actually do it.* [[DeflectorShields Shielding]] from many FPS games (shield belts from ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'', "active defense" from ''[[VideoGame/{{Battlefield}} Battlefield 2142]]'') takes this form, usually to allow players to see and be seen, but not shot from outside (even when [[FridgeLogic laser weapons]] are used).* In ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'', you can literally swim in stardust, or fragments of light, at the start of the game. You even need to draw it with Rejuvenation first.** Later on, at the PointOfNoReturn, [[spoiler: you cross a rainbow bridge into the Ark of Yamato.]]* ''Videogame/DarkSouls'':** It turns out that every monster in [[spoiler: Anor Londo]] is actually an illusion created by [[spoiler: Gwyndolin]], save for [[spoiler: Ornstein, Smoug, the Painting Guardians, and possibly the Mimics]]. There's subtle hints to this throughout the environment, such as [[spoiler: the Batwing Demons using lightning spears despite just about all other demons using chaos weaponry]], and [[spoiler: only the Painting Guardians attempt to heal with Estus flasks.]] You still gain souls from them, and at least some of their equipment is substantial (i.e. they drop swords, shields, and some armor) but [[spoiler: the monsters cease to exist if you find and kill Gwyndolin.]] Since there's no way to [[spoiler:kill Gwyndolin before facing them]], it's entirely possible that even [[spoiler:Ornstein and Smough are illusions as well.]]** The Moonlight Greatsword, a weapon that appears in several Creator/FromSoftware games, has a tiny physical blade that projects a blade of solid magical moonlight. The sword is lightweight for a greatsword since it's physical component is the size of a dagger and it deals pure magic damage. The sword reappears in the [[Videogame/DarkSoulsII the sequel]] with the same properties and a slightly different appearance. Another sword, the Bluemoon Greatsword, has the same appearance as the Moonlight Greatsword from the first game, and its wielder Benhart believes that it is the same legendary sword. The sword's weight and lack of magic damage make it clear that it's just a forgery.* In the ''Franchise/DeadSpace'' series many holograms are solid enough to be used as [[HolographicTerminal interfaces.]]* Treated weirdly in ''Franchise/MassEffect''. Almost every computer interface in the galaxy is a HolographicTerminal that ''looks'' like this, but is actually [[SubvertedTrope an in-universe visual aid]]. The all-purpose Omnitool everyone wears? They're not typing on anything physical - the sense of touch is caused by [[UnusualUserInterface haptic gloves or subdermal implants]]. Tech Armor plates are warping fields that disrupt incoming fire, and are illuminated to warn comrades not to get too close. The third game's LaserBlade is just a warning light so you don't burn or cut yourself with the real weapon, which is transparent.* The Infi-nut from ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies 2'' is an EnergyBeing Wall-nut spawned from a projector. Like other plants, it can physically block zombies and be eaten, but it will periodically regenerate itself to full health as long as the projector exists.* ''Videogame/PlanetSide 2'' has a few hard light bridges, most notably at Heyoka Chemical Lab. Friendlies can go over the bridge fine, enemies fall straight through the bridge into the [[SuperDrowningSkills moat of deadly chemicals]]. It's pretty entertaining to hack the enemy bridge console while they're standing on it, causing them to suddenly fall through. The Holographic armor included in the second anniversary bundle is a (purely cosmetic) set of extra hard light armor plating for soldiers.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'':** Dr. Disaster's [[VirtualTrainingSimulation simulations]] combine holograms with tactile feedback suits.** The [[LivingShadow glass-eyed men]] are able to manipulate matter, making Hard Darkness.* The Boscis in ''Webcomic/{{Banished}}!'' take pride in their Hard Light technology, which is indistinguishable from an ordinary person, er, bird. Except, of course, they can't be attacked.* In ''Webcomic/LifeOfRiley'', hard light generators are used in the battle against evil Dan as DDR platforms. It's... rather complicated.* In ''Webcomic/TheNonAdventuresOfWonderella'', the heroine meets a hard-light replica of herself -- who is merely depressed because she can't drink. She eventually gets her kicks by mooning the city.* In ''Webcomic/{{Heist}}'', Geist the protagonist steals a hard light generator from its current owner (on whose behalf he had recently stolen it from someone else) in order to infiltrate the satellite headquarters of a DarkerAndEdgier Franchise/{{Justice League|OfAmerica}} {{Expy}}.* Webcomic/{{Lightbringer}} can create hard light [[LightEmUp as a superpower]] and uses it to thwart criminals. Most amusing was the creation and use of a hard light ''trampoline''.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]* In the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', there's a character codenamed Fubar (his real body is horribly mutated and he can't survive outside of a tank of purified water). He appears to people using astral projection, and uses psychokinesis to provide the appearance of a physical presence. He's very adept at it, but he's had ''decades'' to practice.* In an {{Homage}} to ''Franchise/StarTrek'', the ''LeagueOfIntergalacticCosmicChampions'' has a "holographic" doctor.* ''WebVideo/TheMercuryMen'' are apparently composed of this, as well as Jack Yaeger's bullets.* Used a lot in [[WebOriginal/AcademyOfSuperheroes The Academy of Super-Heroes Universe]].* At one point in ''Literature/FunnyBusiness'', Jeannette makes ambient sunlight solid in order to stop a lightning bolt from striking herself and her friend. What she didn't take into account is that this makes all light ''everywhere'' solid, and so the whole earth would have been crushed by ever-depositing layers of sunlight if she had not pressed the ResetButton real quick.* White supremacist supervillain Purity from ''Literature/{{Worm}}'' can manifest "kinetically-charged" light that she uses for blasts and flight. ** The members of New Wave (who just happen to be a biologically-related family) all have variations on light and hard-light manipulation as their superpower.** The heroine Ursa Aurora can manifest hard light ''bears'' to fight for her.* ''Podcast/{{Treknologic}}'': The Crew's ship, the USS Relativity, interior is just one giant holodeck.* In one installment of {{Blog/Whatif}} Randall Munroe investigates the possibility of a radar gun exerting enough force on a car to stop it. Not visible light but close enough.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]* [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius Jimmy Neutron]]'s holographic butler.* In ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'', Luminus masters making holograms feel solid by manipulating electromagnetic forces, allowing him to almost kill a depowered Superman with hologram copies of himself.-->'''Superman''': Are your holograms supposed to scare me?-->'''Luminus''': Holograms are made of light. ''So are lasers.''** In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Luminus escapes from prison, and uses his technology to surround Flash with holograms. Flash, used to this trick with Mirror Master, thinks that they're just holograms and apparently doesn't fall for it, except, as those who've watched ''STAS'' would know, they're pretty solid. Ass kicking ensues.* In ''WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko'', the Polymorphic Specters (and the translated heroes in Season 4) are also a form of Hard Light. This is confirmed by the William Clone's [[{{Technobabble}} self-description]] in episode "Down to Earth":-->'''William Clone:''' I'm a digitally-generated random polymorphic energy field controlled by a basic non-evolving behavioral program.* Tankor in ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}: WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'' used a hard light hologram as part of a scheme to fake his own death.* Doctor Light in '' WesternAnimation/TeenTitans''. He met his match in this trope's polar opposite: Comicbook/{{Raven}}'s hard ''shadows''. And the soul-crushing abyss within her cloak they dragged him into because she was so pissed she tapped into her demon heritage, but that's another story.* The holographic training simulator in the Hall of Justice in ''WesternAnimation/DCSuperFriends'' runs on this. Things go bad when Joker decides to take over the home base while Superman and Batman are visiting it.* Liquid rainbows appeared in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''. They're edible, but ridiculously spicy, and sticky enough to be used as war paint.* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987'' had an episode where Shredder created a couple of "solid holograms" to fight the Ninja Turtles.* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Rollbots}}'', Botch has a Hard Light GrapplingHookPistol.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]* The book ''Secret Weapons of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII'' reports one non-scientist military type suggesting that research be done on "solidifying" searchlight beams to grab planes and smash them into the ground.* Very slightly TruthInTelevision: light ''does'' exert a certain amount of force on solid objects. This is why engineers and science fiction writers have come up with the concept of {{Solar Sail}}s.** The Japanese IKAROS probe is propelled by a solar sail, providing the SolarSail page image.** Radiometers, at one time, were thought to work this way: when put in energetic enough light they spin, supposedly because the dark sides absorbs the energy and momentum of the light while the light colored side reflects the energy and momentum. The reflector has a 2x momentum change while the absorber has a 1x momentum change. Though that is true, the spinning is not caused by light pressure, but rather by light heating the dark side of the panel the good old-fashioned way. Thus warmer than the light side, the dark side heats the air molecules in the bulb a little more than the light side, thus they kick away a little harder, and the cumulative effect is a little more push on the dark side, thus driving it as a little spinner. It's not in a vacuum, either, but rather a gas at a special pressure. The light pressure hypothesis arose from the erroneous belief that the early radiometers were entirely evacuated; they were not, and there just barely enough gas left to create the effect.** Powerful enough lasers can exert a significant force on objects placed in their path.** [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_tweezers Optical Tweezers]] apply the force from a laser to manipulate very small objects.* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_cutting Laser Cutting, through solid metal]]** The geeks at MIT [[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/09/real-lightsaber-photonic-molecules just made it real]].** Then Princeton went and [[http://gizmodo.com/physicists-are-making-solid-light-1633885762 turned light into crystal]].** And Tokyo scientists made a [[http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26463-ultrasound-makes-hologram-keyboard-touchyfeely.html holographic, touchable keyboard]].[[/folder]]